After getting ready for the dungeon, both of them left the room. Seria stood behind the door with a worried and anxious expression. Gazel wasn't startled by seeing Seria; instead, with a compassionate look, he hugged her without saying a word, expressing his feelings through his actions.
Vantias looked at both of them for a moment. The only thing he felt at that moment was one thing:
"Loneliness."
Vantias lowered his head and fell into thought:
"Maybe one day... someday... I might be able to experience this feeling too."
Then he swallowed his saliva; he felt a special heaviness in his throat, his heart ached, but he just watched.
"In my previous world, I had no one... I spent all my time in loneliness... I locked all doors behind me because I thought I didn't deserve companionship."
Then he raised his head again and looked at both of them.
"Maybe in this world, I can find someone to accompany me…"
Suddenly, a harsh blow struck his mind mercilessly and without hesitation; the voice echoed in Vantias' mind:
"It doesn't matter which world you travel to... you can change your body, but can you change your nature? Who would want to be with a monster like you?"
Vantias gave no answer, only looked at Gazel and Seria. He decided not to pay attention to distractions until the mission was over.
Gazel looked at Seria with a loving and affectionate expression and said:
"It's nothing... I promise this will be my last mission... I went to the guild today to say goodbye, and this will be the last one..."
Then he ran his hand through Seria's hair, looked into her eyes, and said:
"After that, I promise we'll start a life without danger... we can watch our kids grow up."
Seria gave a faint smile, pressed Gazel's hand to her face, the warmth of his hand gave her hope, then she said:
"I have a bad feeling about you going on this mission... so promise me you'll come back safe."
Gazel paused for a moment, a bit surprised but expecting the question.
"You know I don't make promises I can't keep... but this time, I promise you..."
Then he smiled warmly, pointed to himself with his thumb, and confidently said:
"It's supposed to be a simple dungeon. I've been through tougher."
Seria chuckled softly and said:
"You always make those bad jokes..."
Then Seria looked at Vantias and said:
"Please take care of him and make sure he comes back safe."
Vantias bowed his head and said:
"I can't ignore his return... so his life is my responsibility, even if it costs me my own."
A hopeful, faithful smile appeared on Seria's face. Then Vantias and Gazel left the house. Seria followed them with a bowl of water. Gazel's eyes searched for his children; both were playing with other kids. Then with a loud and affectionate voice, he called them and opened his arms:
"Ariana! Ars! Come to daddy!"
Both turned their heads, smiled warmly, and ran toward Gazel, hugging him tightly. Gazel closed his eyes as if all his life was in that embrace and he was gaining light and energy again… like healing a wound, as soothing and calming.
"Ah... it's like all my tiredness has melted away..."
Ariana looked at Gazel and calmly asked:
"Dad... where are you going?"
Ars eagerly said:
"Can I come too?"
Gazel smiled. For a moment, the words locked in his mind. Telling the truth was hard… but he had to say something.
He bent down, hugged them both, and ran his hand through their hair.
"Daddy has to go on a little mission... it won't take more than a few days, I promise I'll come back soon."
Ars, with a special sparkle in his eyes, said:
"Like the time you defeated the goblins? Can you bring me the bone of an orc this time?"
Gazel was a bit stunned. A drop of sweat slid down his temple.
"Uh... well, if I catch one, why not. But... what do you want it for anyway?"
Ars proudly stuck out his chest and stood with his hands on his hips:
"Obviously! I want to brag about it, so everyone can see that my dad is a hero!"
Gazel laughed involuntarily. A laugh mixed with love, worry, and pride.
Vantias smiled softly, and Gazel returned a kind look. Gazel ran his hand over both their heads and hugged them tightly again; as if he was holding his entire world in his arms.
"Well, it's time to go. Promise me you won't bother mom, okay?"
Ars nodded seriously, gave a small smile, and said with a responsible tone:
"I promise... I'll take care of mom and sister until you come back."
Gazel laughed, kindly patted his son's shoulder, put his backpack on, and set off with Vantias.
Ariana and Ars waved happily; their childish laughter echoed in the air. Seria, calm but worried, followed behind them. Then she took a bowl of water and, according to old tradition, poured it behind them—a sign wishing for a safe and sound return of the traveler.
Gazel and Vantias quietly left and headed toward the main street of the capital. Their destination was outside the city gates, which took only a few hours to reach. The streets were crowded with ordinary people, merchants, adventurers, and children… everyone busy with their tasks.
Vantias walked behind Gazel, passing through the crowd. His mind was occupied with various thoughts about having a family and its true meaning.
"I've never really felt what it's like to have a family... As a child, a brother, a friend, a lover, and a human, I have failed... and that caused my downfall... but what makes this second chance different from before?"